BELLE — Candidate filing for the April 7, 2026, municipal elections open Dec. 9 and close on Dec. 30, with several local offices across Maries County scheduled to appear on the ballot.

The Maries County Emergency Services Board (911 Board) will have seven positions open. Filing takes place from Dec. 9-30 at the courthouse. All candidates must file in person at the county clerk’s office, 211 4th Street in Vienna, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those elected will take over for board members that have been appointed by the Maries County Commission.

In the city of Belle, voters will elect a Ward 1 alderman, Ward 2 alderman, and mayor, each with a two-year term. The city marshal seat is open with a four-year term. Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell and Marshal Jerry Coborn currently hold those positions, as well as Aldermen Jeanette Struemph and Steve Vogt.

The Maries County R-2 Board of Education will have three open seats, each serving a three-year term, currently held by Ashley Harris, Garret Bialczyk and Dawn Hicks. The district notes that filings will not be accepted during inclement weather closures or during scheduled holiday breaks. District offices will be closed Dec. 19–30 for Christmas break, but will open specifically from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 30 for last-day filing. Ballot order will be determined by the order in which candidates file. Under Missouri Statute 115.124, if exactly three candidates file for the three available positions, the district will not hold an election. For information about filing, individuals may contact Sara Rehmert at (573) 859-3800 or srehmert@mariesr2.org.

The Maries County R-1 Board of Education also has three positions open, each carrying a three-year term. Seats are currently occupied by Matthew Novak, Denise Wilkinson and Kayla Wansing. Filing opens Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. at the Superintendent’s Office, 300 4th Street in Vienna, and continues during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Filings on Dec. 22 and 23 will be accepted only between 8 a.m. and noon. No filings will occur from Dec. 24–29 when district offices are closed. Final filing will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 30, and interested candidates may contact Superintendent Teresa Messersmith.

The Maries-Osage Ambulance District has two three-year board of director seats open in Sub-District No. 2, which serves the Brinktown area, and Sub-District No. 5, which includes Freeburg. Filing takes place from Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. All candidates must file in person at district headquarters, 164 Ballpark Road in Vienna, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and have lived in the sub-district for at least one year. Questions may be directed to (573) 422-6123 and callers should speak with Carla Butler. Board members whose terms are expiring are Donald Lanning and Steve Maxwell.

The Ozark Central Ambulance District also has two three-year board positions open in Sub-Districts No. 2 and No. 5 in their service area. Filing is open from Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 30 at 5 p.m., and candidates may pick up filing paperwork at the Osage Ambulance District front office, 119 Hwy. 89 South in Linn. Applicants must reside in the respective sub-district, be 21 or older, and be current on taxes. For more information, the district office may be contacted at (573) 897-0044 with any questions. Board members whose terms are expiring are Cindy Butler and Mark Cooper.

The city of Vienna will have a one-year unfulfilled alderman term on the ballot. Filing takes place at 7 a.m. on Dec. 9 and closes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 30 at Vienna City Hall. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, must be United States citizens, and must have lived in the city for one year prior to the election. City Hall will be closed Dec. 24–26, and no filings will be accepted on those dates. Residents with questions may contact City Clerk Tracy Shiver at (573) 422-3549 or by email at cityclerk@viennamo.gov.

Vienna Fire Protection District will have one board seat open, but are unsure which one. More information will be available next week.